Jack Shea

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In his four-and-a-half hour Archive interview, Jack Shea (1928-2013) recalls his early years in New York, working as a stage manager and assistant director at NBC. He talks about his move to NBC in Los Angeles, where he became began a director on Bob Hope's television specials, including his many programs overseas. He also discusses directing Jerry Lewis' specials for television. Shea describes his experiences as a director on several series, including The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour, The Waltons, Sanford and Son, The Jeffersons (on which he was also a producer), Good Times, The Ropers, Silver Spoons, and Designing Women. He then details his take on the craft of directing for television and outlines his many years of service in the Directors Guild of America, including his stint as President of the organization. Jennifer Howard conducted the interview on December 9, 2002 in Studio City, CA.

"It's very tough to get somebody to give you a job as a director because there's so much at stake. Everybody's afraid that if they pick you to be a director and the thing fails, they're going to take the rap for it."

Chapter 1

On his childhood and early influences; on growing up during The Great Depression; on wanting to be an actor; on radio programs he enjoyed as a boy; on his high school years

10:05

On his college years at Fordham University; on the beginning of his interest in directing; on his early memories of watching television; on his first job out of college - as an assistant director at NBC; on working as a stage manager at NBC; on mishaps during the era of live television

09:35

On the tension on set before live shows; on early television equipment; on the early NBC television studios and sets; on injuries on-set

08:41

Chapter 2

On live studio audiences; on meeting Pat Weaver; on his co-workers in early television; on working on live anthology dramas; on entering the Army in 1952 and making training films; on moving to California

09:48

On working for NBC in Los Angeles; on the new NBC studios in Burbank and shows he worked on as an assistant director

04:29

On directing Truth or Consequences and working with Ralph Edwards; on the Hollywood Blacklist

07:09

On directing the "Bob Hope Specials" and "Jerry Lewis Specials" at NBC

07:21

Chapter 3

On the producers, writers, and musicians on Bob Hope's television specials; on entertaining troops at USO shows; on Bob Hope's legacy

12:34

On directing Jerry Lewis' television specials; on leaving NBC

06:39

On directing The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour; on the music and format of the show; on also serving as a producer on the program

07:25

On the challenges of directing Hawaii Five-O

01:34

Chapter 4

On the joys of directing The Waltons; on directing What's Happening!

10:18

On directing Sanford and Son; on producers Norman Lear and Bud Yorkin; on Redd Foxx's comedy style and relationship with the cast of Sanford and Son; on Redd Foxx falling ill on the set of The Royal Family

09:11

On diversity on television and taboo topics during the era of Sanford and Son; on the cast of and production on the show

09:24

Chapter 5

On directing The Jeffersons; on the show's premise, characters, stars, and producers; on why he left The Jeffersons; on directing The Jeffersons' spin-off Checking In starring Marla Gibbs

20:17

On directing Good Times; on the show's cast; on directing a few episodes of Maude

05:46

On his first impressions of being on a television set and the craft of directing

03:21

Chapter 6

On the craft of directing and inventing techniques; on how stage managers, assistant directors, and directors work together on set; on preparations for a day of filming and working with actors

11:52

On how involved he is with editing; on how the invention of color TV changed his work; on the relationship between producers and directors; on producers he wanted to work for

06:37

On how he selected projects; on his approach to directing actors; on setting the tone and pace on set; on his directing style

07:47

On directing The Ropers

01:41

Chapter 7

On the stars of The Ropers, Norman Fell and Audra Lindley; on directing Silver Spoons and working with Rick Schroeder; on the premise, cast, and producers of the show; on writing an episode of Silver Spoons with his wife; on why he left the show

09:57

On directing Designing Women; on the show's premise and stars; on the producers of Designing Women - Linda Blooodworth-Thomason and Harry Thomason; on the show's Southern sensibility

08:47

On directing Punky Brewster; on directing The Golden Girls and working with the ensemble of Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan, and Estelle Getty

01:55

On directing The Cavanaughs and Full House; on directing The Hogan Family and Growing Pains

07:40

Chapter 8

On directing The Royal Family starring Redd Foxx and Della Reese; on directing 704 Hauser, Sister, Sister, and Good Behavior

03:48

On on his involvement with the Directors Guild of America; on The Radio, Television Directors Guild (RTDG) and network response to the guilds; on the merger of the RTDG and the Screen Directors Guild into the Directors Guild of America (DGA); on the workings of and diversity within the DGA

11:43

On the credits issues between the WGA and the DGA; on runaway production; on low budget agreements; on the status of film versus TV directors and directors-for-hire; on his tenure as President of the DGA

11:31

On then-current projects

01:08

Chapter 9

On his experience directing pilots; on his religious beliefs and how they intertwined with the syndicated program Insight; on co-founding the organization Catholics and Media Associates

08:12

On advice to aspiring directors; on mentoring young directors; on the highlight of his career; on career regrets and how he'd like to be remembered